. >> reporter: the problem, mr. obama said, is that congress has already spent the money. >> these are bills that have already been racked up. >> reporter: the patiented a dire picture about what it would mean for the nation for the first time ever to not make payments. >> social security checks and veterans benefits will be dried. we might not be able to pay our troops, or honor our contracts with small business owners. >> reporter: in response, republicans pointed out president obama voted against increasing the debt limit as a senator. john boehner said that the debt is endangers children's future, that the consequences of failing to increase the debt seal ceiling are real, but so also are the results of allowing our spending problem go unresolved. president obama said he is open to discussing deficit reductions, but only after congress first pay this bills that the country already owes. >> the federal government takes a larger chunk of paychecks. that's because during the fiscal cliff debate, congress allowed a